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8.23.2011

Closet Details

I just wanted to talk about a few of the details and then I'm on to the next project!

First of all, let's talk about whitewashing.

I'll be honest. I didn't even Google how to whitewash walls– I just hopped right in with my own improvised technique. (Anyone who knows me is aware that "hopping right in" is the way I normally go about things. Forget planning or preparation! Yes, this drives my over-analyzer husband crazy.)

I took the creamy white paint in a flat finish and brushed it onto the cedar planks. I did not use a roller on any part of this space, opting for just a regular 4 inch paintbrush. Let me tell you, those planks absorbed the paint immediately. I was amazed! I had to work quickly to get any sort of whitewashed effect. I went one plank at a time so that I wouldn't have a random, streaky finish.

As soon as I painted a plank, I took a damp rag and wiped some of the paint off. Hence, whitewashing. I'm pretty sure this is not how a professional would tell you to go about this, but I'm not claiming to know what I'm doing.

Overall this technique was easy, but it was a little time consuming and tedious. Whitewashing lends itself well to imperfections, since it is supposed to look charming and aged. I like any paint finish in which I can pass off an 'oopsy' as added charm, that's for sure.

Had I decided to paint the walls solid white, it would have taken at least two or three coats. In the end, I think whitewashing was faster.

I think we can all agree that it really brightened up that cedar dungeon, right?

Let's do some before and after action to show the whitewashed goodness...

The drawers didn't have any knobs on them before, and they were a little difficult to pull out. I got the crystal knobs at Hobby Lobby to tie into the chandelier. They seem so small, but they make a big difference in pulling it all together. Details, details!

I wanted to add a rug to the space to warm it up, and I ended up going with....

The clothes and shoes are all back in the closet, and everything is back in working order.

By the way, I saw a cheap chandelier at Ikea yesterday that totally would have fit within my $50 budget. I like mine better because it is flush with the ceiling, but this is a good option in case you were looking! $39.99

www.ikea.com

Alright, that's it for the closet!

On to my next project, which is a nursery makeover at our church.

I'm off to buy the paint today to start my mural, and I can't wait to share it with you. It's a big undertaking so I'm not really sure when we'll be finished, but I'll keep you posted!

Welcome!

Welcome to The Happy Homebodies! I'm Jordan, and I like to take advantage of my husband's awesome handyman talents to fix up our home in Texas. I dream it up, and he makes it happen. Come on in and stay a while!